The Elements

In any esoteric, magical or however “alternative” universe we stumble across the elements all the time. But what are those elements … We all have some intuitive understanding of their meanings and symbolism; if nothing else we can relate them to physical phenomena or substances with which they share their name.
The elements play a significant role in astrology (read more), they come up in various complications and aspects, directly or indirect, throughout different mythologies (their presence and meanings in rituals and celebrations, earth deities, moon deities, etc). There are alternative theories that explain certain medical conditions and diseases trough excess or absence of a certain element and healing methods based upon it. Gemstones are often associated with elements (some systems of such correspondences are based upon the chemical structure of a particular crystal). Various associations of elements with spices, herbs, vegetable, fruit, etc. can also be found. Oh and, not to forget, the four elements (colors) play a significant role in Tarot (or in playing cards ).

First records of a four-element system go back to Pre-Socratic philosophy. Empedocles of Acagras (Greek philosopher, poet and politician, 492 BC - 432 BC) argued that these are four elements of matter, so called “roots”, earth, air, fire and water. All things in existence are composed of those four elements put together in different combinations. The idea of elements is eternal and unchangeable, but the elements themselves are affected by two cosmic forces, the creative Love combining the elements and the destructive Strife separating them. These two forces always fight for domination over the elements. When the Love grows in power the elements are drawn together. With wakening Love the growing Strife drives the elements further apart until they are totally separated. Then Love begins to gain in power again and the world is again created. There are two states in which no life can exist, one is the total domination of Love and the other the total domination of Strife; the material existence lies in-between those two states.

Later on Aristotle (Greek philosopher, 384 BC - 322 BC) described the elements in terms or pairs of qualities; each element has two qualities and each quality belongs to two elements. Those qualities are warm, cold, dry and moist.

The four elements are four forms of one original substance that can pass from one form to another. The transformation of one element to another is based on its qualities: if a quality is shared by two elements, then those two can change into one another by replacing the other quality (the one that is not common to them both) with the opposite quality. For example, when exchanging the moist quality of air with the dry quality, the air is transformed into fire. The elements that do not share a quality cannot pass one into another directly; in order for e.g. water to be transformed into fire, it must first transform into either air or earth from where it can be transformed into fire.

Fire (hot and dry) was associated with energy, passion and movement. The Greeks knew the difference between a creative and a destructive fire.

Air (hot and moist) was linked with intelligence and soul. Aristotle separated air from aether.

Water (cold and moist) stood for emotions and intuition.

Earth (cold and dry) represented the physical aspects, materialism and practicality.

According to Aristotle was aether, the quintessence (Latin quinta essential means the fifth essence) that had no qualities and did not exist in the material world.

As those four elements (roots) in different combinations make up all living things, including human beings, they also played a role in Ancient Greek medicine. The theory of The Four Humors (the liquids within the body: blood-fire, yellow bile – air, black bile-earth, phlegm - water) was based on the equilibrium – a disease is the consequence of an imbalance of the four humors.

The Four Elements

Fire is associated with south, color red, noon and summer. It is a masculine element. Zodiac signs belonging to this element are Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. Its symbol (and magical tool/weapon) is the wand.

Air is associated with east, color yellow, dawn and spring. It is a masculine element. Its Zodiac signs are Gemini, Libra and Aquarius. Its symbols (magical tools/weapons) are the sword and the dagger.

Water is associated with the west, color blue, twilight and fall. Water is a feminine element. Its Zodiac signs are Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. Its symbol is the cup.

Earth is associated with the north, color green, midnight and winter. It is a feminine element. Zodiac signs of earth are Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn. Its magical tool is the disk and it is often symbolized with a cross.

Further assotiations

More on elements is coming soon …